The effects of the grafting of Ad-VEGF gene-infected composite skin on rat wounds

Objective To observe the effects of the grafting of Ad-VEGF gene-infected composite skin on rat wounds with full thickness defect.Methods To culture auto-epidermal cells and allo-fibroblasts,the fibroblasts were infected with Ad-VEGF.Two types of composite skin were constructed respectively.The infected composite skin was composed of auto-epidermal cells,human acellular dermal matrix and Ad-VEGF gene-infected fibroblasts,while the uninfected composite skin contained auto-epidermal cells,human acellular dermal matrix and fibroblasts.The two kinds of composite skin were grafted onto wounds.The survival rate of the composite skin was observed at 2 post-operative weeks.The rat wounds were examined grossly on 2、4 and 6 weeks.Wound tissue samples were harvested for histological examination.Results(1) At 2 weeks,the survival area of infected composite skin was bigger than that of uninfected composite skin.(2)A scab was formed in the wound at 2 weeks in uninfected group.The surface of the grafted skin in infected group was smooth,elastic,and showed good anti-friction properly,and it was better in quality compared with that in another group at 6 weeks.(3) Capillary formation was more intense in the grafted skins in infected group at 2 weeks,and a normally proliferating keratinocyte layer of 5 to 7 layers of epithelial cells with orderly arrangement and evenly distributed fibrous tissue was seen at 6 weeks.Conclusions Repair of the wound with composite skin containing Ad-VEGF gene could promote angiogenesis,improve the quality of wound healing.